The Brand Developers television advertisement for Power fit–Power Legs shows images of varicose veins and other leg problems including restless legs and poor circulation. It suggests the Power Legs product can “make these frustrating embarrassing persistent problems disappear.”

Two complainants were concerned the advertisement was misleading as it claimed the product could make varicose veins and other leg problems disappear.

The advertiser responded and confirmed approval by the Commercial Approvals Bureau (CAB). The CAB responded they did not consider the Advertiser was making implied therapeutic claims.

The Complaints Board upheld the complaint. While the advertiser provided a revised advertisement during the complaints process that removed some therapeutic claims, the amended version continued to contain implied claims the device would treat various leg conditions, including varicose veins. The Complaints Board said the proposed amendments to the advertisement were not sufficient to prevent the advertisement from suggesting an implied therapeutic benefit and agreed that in the absence of adequate substantiation, the advertisement was likely to be misleading to some consumers.

Homeopathic advertisement containing COVID-19 claims settled

The website advertisement for The Healing Haven, titled “The Season of Coronavirus: Homeopathic Support For Healthy Functioning” contained health and therapeutic claims in relation to homeopathic products which helped protect against COVID 19 and referenced the 1918 Flu Epidemic.

The complainant was concerned the consumer takeout from the advertisement was that the homeopathic products may help protect them against COVID-19. They said the advertisement was misleading and socially irresponsible.

The advertiser agreed to remove the claims subject to complaint. The Chair said the advertiser’s co-operative engagement and self-regulatory action in amending the advertisement and their commitment to take more care in the future, meant the complaint was settled.